Aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol: what benefits and risks does their use have?
11 February, 2020
Researchers can guess a person's age from their microbiome
12 February, 2020
Self-harm, sleep problems or suicide attempts increase.
Extensive use of mobile phones and social networks among adolescents is linked to an increase in mental problems among youth, according to a study by Canadian researchers published this Monday in the medical journal CMAJ.
The research, carried out by medical staff at Sick Kids Children's Hospital in Toronto, analyzes data from existing studies on the use of mobile phones and the Internet.
The conclusions indicate that in North America the increase in mental problems among young people during the last decade has run parallel to the rapid increase in the use of mobile phones and social media among minors.
Between 2009 and 2014, the number of admissions to Canadian hospitals of girls with self-harm grew by 110%, and suicide has become the second leading cause of mortality among young people in the country.
In the United States, the number of hospitalizations of adolescents and children for suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts almost doubled between 2008 and 2015.
Likewise, the proportion of young people in that country, between 13 and 17 years old, who own mobile phones is now 89%, more than double what it was six years ago, while 70% of young people use social networks multiple times a day. throughout the day when in 2012 the figure was only 30%.
A systematic review of 20 studies revealed that social media use was associated with body image concerns and eating disorders. In one of these investigations, young women recorded a worsening of their mood after just 10 minutes on Facebook.
Another study highlighted the link between Facebook use with poor mental health and low life satisfaction; while several studies show that high proportions of adolescents are addicted to their cell phones.
Data from the United States shows that between 2011 and 2013 there was a rapid increase in adolescents who did not get enough sleep. In 2015 alone, more than 40% slept less than seven hours most nights. In Canada, the data also showed similar numbers.
